Another fast paced road race in Bicycle Nova Scotia's 2010 season will take place this weekend on some of the most scenic southern roads of Yarmouth County.

Dozens of cyclists from across the province will compete in various divisions when the annual Sea Level Lobster Crawl Road Race kicks off Sunday, June 6. Registration from 8:00 to 9:30am, with racing starting at 10:00am

The road race is the last before cyclists from Nova Scotia move into the provincials Sunday, June 20 hosted this year by the Lunenburg Bike Barn in Riverport.

Athletes of all ages will compete in Yarmouth in several divisions – including classes for elite senior men, masters, women, novice and teens – and average speeds up to 40 km/hr along the mostly level race route in the coastal community.

Distances will range from 21 kilometres for younger riders, who average speeds closer to 20 km/hr, to a whopping 100 km-plus for elite seasoned cyclists.

All racers must obtain a Bicycle Nova Scotia license in order to compete. One event membership/licenses will be available at registration.

Officials are expecting the usual suspects to attend Yarmouth's race that was initially launched in 2002 by staff at Manser's Bike Shop in southwestern Nova Scotia including last year's big winner Halifax area's Jamie Lamb of Cyclesmith. Lamb completed the 105 km distance in just over three hours, and just fractions of a second ahead of six other men hot on his wheels who crossed the finish near him in the Senior Mens class.

Other defending champs are also expected back at the start line this year including Master A division winner Halifax's Andrew Peacock of Cyclesmith who rode his 84 km race in a time of 2:25 and Master B winner Ambrose Delaney of FrameWork Racing, Sydney, who stole the finish with a time of 2:31with his team mate Julien Messem of Margaree tight on his rear wheel.

The women's division saw an exciting finish last year between teammates Jeanne Ju and Kaarin Tae, of Bicycles Plus, Bedford. They crossed the finish line nearly together after a fast 84 km race route in a time of 2:37, with Ju just one second ahead of Tae to take the glory. The women’s race is wide open this year with the new ability based classes. Women may choose to race with men in the ability classes, or stay in the women’s division.

The exciting race is expected to draw dozens of riders again this year along with their supporters to the south western side of the province that's driven by the offshore fishery with one of the world's largest lobster fishing grounds. Much of the area's rich culture including its Acadian history and the local economy is tied to the lobster fishery.

“We're hoping cyclists who've never raced will see this as an opportunity to test the waters, so to speak, given the ideal course Yarmouth offers,” said Bill Goldston of Bicycle Nova Scotia.